What is prenatal care? more information
Prenatal care means health care during your pregnancy before your baby is born. Take care of yourself and your baby by:
-Getting early prenatal care. If you know you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, call your healthcare provider as soon as possible and schedule a visit.
-Getting regular prenatal care. Follow your healthcare provider's schedule for visits and don't miss appointments.
-Doing everything you can to keep yourself and your baby healthy during your pregnancy
Obstetrical Care:
When choosing an obstetrical care provider, keep in mind that you will be seeing this person regularly in the coming months and will depend on him/her for vital information and care. It is important to have an open and trusting relationship with the person you choose. You will want to find an obstetrical provider who suits your needs and personality. Take some time to educate yourself about pregnancy and childbirth to help you form a clear idea of your needs. Some women are most concerned with specifics of practice (such as wanting a particular method of childbirth) while others will base their decision on environment, personality, etc. It is helpful to talk with other women about their experiences.
The selection of an obstetrical care provider/midwife for prenatal care and the delivery of your baby needs to be made hand-in-hand with the decision of where to deliver. Because obstetrical care providers are affiliated with particular hospitals, a strong preference for a doctor or facility may determine the other. Choosing both are personal decisions and having as much information as possible will make these decisions easier. The choice of an obstetrical care provider and hospital for the birth of your baby may be influenced by your insurance plan.
Postpartum Care: more information
It is usually a joyful event when a woman gives birth to a baby she wants. Despite the pain and discomfort, birth is the long-awaited culmination of pregnancy and the start of a new life. However, birth is also a critical time for the health of the mother and her baby. Problems may arise that, if not treated promptly and effectively can lead to ill-health and even death for one or both of them. Nonetheless, the postpartum period is often neglected by maternity care. The lack of postpartum care ignores the fact that the majority of maternal deaths and disabilities occur during the postpartum period and that early neonatal mortality remains high.
The postpartum period, or puerperium, starts about an hour after the delivery of the placenta and includes the following six weeks. Postpartum care should respond to the special needs of the mother and baby during this special phase and should include: the prevention and early detection and treatment of complications and disease, and the provision of advice and services on breastfeeding, birth spacing, immunization and maternal nutrition.

In the postpartum period, women need
information/counselling on:
- care of the baby and breast feeding
- what happens to their bodies - including signs of possible problems
- self care - hygiene and healing
- sexual life
- contraception
- nutrition

support from:
- health care providers
- partner and family: emotional, psychological

-healthcare for suspected or manifest complications
-time to care for the baby
-help with domestic tasks
-maternity leave
-social reintegration into her family and community
-protection from abuse/violence.

Women may fear:
-inadequacy
-loss of marital intimacy
-isolation
-constant responsibility of caring for the baby and others

 

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